Rural Physician Research Support Project

In 2020–2021, the Rural Physician Research Support Project awarded three new research grants to rural physicians. Although the pandemic created challenges and delays for the projects, most were able to adjust their timelines to complete their objectives.

The three newly-funded projects are:

• Conventional third trimester obstetric ultrasound versus point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) to determine fetal presentation: A retrospective cost-effectiveness analysis, led by Dr. Ryck Schielke. This retrospective study analyzes the cost-effectiveness of PoCUS versus conventional third trimester ultrasound.
• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for acute pain during inter-facility transfers from rural communities to a higher level of care, led by Dr. Adam Watchorn. This study will examine whether PCA for inter-facility transfers from rural communities to a higher level of care is effective in controlling pain during transport.
• Assessing capacity and planning for clinical trials in rural/northern BC, led by Dr. Denise Jaworsky. This study assesses and builds clinical trial capacity in northern/rural BC. In doing so, it supports two clinical trials in the North: 1) Supporting rural and northern sites to be part of an international multi-site observational study on COVID-19 critical care outcomes (SPRINT-SARI); and 2) Supporting rural communities to provide radiation oncology clinical trial follow up so patients from rural communities can access radiation oncology trials in Prince George and receive local follow up without having to travel to Prince George.

The Rural Physician Research Support Project also continued supporting several previously-funded grant projects in 2020–2021:

• “Exploring the implementation of Rural Advanced Care Community Paramedics (RACCP) in rural and remote BC: A qualitative research approach”, led by Dr. Floyd Besserer. This study is examining the impact of RACCP in six rural and remote BC communities, and exploring barriers and facilitators that impact integration of RACCP.
• “The human health effects of exposure to unconventional natural gas development: A systematic review”, led by Dr. Ulrike Meyer. This study reviewed the literature on unconventional natural gas development and its impacts on human health.
• “Does the lack of a CT scanner in a BC rural community increase inter-facility transfers and delay patient access to emergent imaging?”, led by Dr. Adam Watchorn. This study assesses the impact of not having access to a local CT scanner in Golden and District Hospital. It will be published next fiscal year in the Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine.
• Life on the (therapeutic) range: Exploring factors contributing to the quality of warfarin management in Prince George, BC, led by Dr. Malgorzata Kaminska. This research is characterizing the quality of primary care warfarin management in Prince George patients by calculating frequencies of international normalized ratios (INR) testing and time in therapeutic INR range, and identifying patient, provider, and system characteristics that contribute to the current quality of primary care warfarin management in Prince George.
• “Innovation on pulmonary rehabilitation: A family physician-led rural primary care pulmonary rehabilitation project”, led by Dr. Onuora Odoh. This research explores the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating pulmonary rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management toolkits of family physicians in rural primary care settings using available limited local resources.
• “Wound care practices after cutaneous surgery amongst family physicians in BC”, led by Dr. Bruce Rebner. This study surveyed family physicians on wound care recommendations to patients after in-office cutaneous surgery, then compared the results of the survey with current evidence-based recommendations.
• “Checking our privileges: The impact of privileging dictionaries on surgical services in rural and remote BC”, led by Dr. Nicole Robbins. This scoping literature review and survey of privileging practices across Canada will help generate best practice recommendations.

In addition to awarding grants and supporting ongoing research initiatives, the team hosted the first-ever BC Rural Health Research Exchange in November 2020. This virtual half-day event was filled with brief rapid-style presentations designed to inform, engage, and share current rural research occurring in BC. The event also provided the opportunity to engage Indigenous, patient, and community partners in an open dialogue session to explore collaborative opportunities for partners and researchers. A total of 26 presenters shared their research and almost 150 people signed up for the event.

In the coming year, the Rural Physician Research Support Project will explore new ways to foster connections among rural physician researchers, and additional opportunities to showcase how its research grants support physicians and communities. The Project will also continue accepting applications from rural physicians wishing to conduct research that advances health in rural BC.